Chicago Cubs: 3 free agents who could still give the team a boost

Outfielder Kevin Pillar

The Cubs outfield will look a little different, especially in left field. While familiar faces Jason Heyward and Ian Happ will get most of the playing time in right and center, respectively, newly signed Joc Pederson will patrol left instead of the dearly departed Kyle Schwarber. While the Cubs added former Red Phillip Ervin, another free agent could provide a better alternative against left-handed pitching, Kevin Pillar.

While not the gloveman that he used to be, Pillar can play all three outfield positions, although he’s primarily known as a centerfielder. Over the course of his career, the 32-year-old Pillar has hit .286 off of lefties and a respectable .253 versus right-handed pitching. In 2020, he hit a robust .342 against southpaws with an OBP of .390.

Pederson has looked lost at times against lefties with a career batting average of under .200, so it makes sense to platoon him with a guy who can mash from the right side of the plate. Ervin has hit a decent .277 against left-handed pitching and can play both corner outfield spots. Signing Pillar gives the Cubs options against lefties which could result in much better numbers from the right side of the plate. Considering they hit .196 as a team versus left-handers last season, it shouldn’t be hard to improve.